Insurance broker and risk management provider Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) is warning businesses in food production to protect their property from arson attacks now that the summer school holidays are here.

One of the most common targets at industrial and retail sites is waste stored outside a property on pallets and in wheelie bins, said Mike Langton, commercial director of JLT UK.

He said: “It is vital that employers clear waste away at the end of the day and keep it secured.

“Our claims teams have seen devastating fire damage caused by unsecured bins being torched and pushed against buildings, causing the fire to spread.”

Langton added that keeping properties secure is also important because children may use the sites to play in while they are off school.

Managers should ensure perimeters and gates are fit for purpose and maintained to a high standard to minimise the chance of break-in incidents.

Langton concluded: “A few simple precautions can prevent a deliberate or accidental fire that could cripple your business. Far too many firms in food production never recover from a serious fire loss - make sure yours isn’t one of them.”